Victoria Attractions

Site of the original the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Victoria from 1843, Bastion Square takes its name from the Bastion that once stood at the north east corner of Fort Victoria. Today, cobblestone pathways, wrought iron lampstands and restored heritage buildings provide an historic background for artisans, pubs and fine restaurants.

One of the world's premier gardens in a spectacular setting of a dramatic limestone quarry. Started in 1904 by Jennie Butchart, the quarry and surrounding grounds were transformed into 55 acres of public gardens, including the famous Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden and numerous transitional gardens.

The discovery of gold in BC brought the first Chinese immigrants to Victoria in 1858, making this Chinese community Canada's oldest. The Chinese community expanded quickly, with the confined region the Chinese lived in being operated as a separate town. Chinatown's "Forbidden City" was a network of hidden alleyways and courtyards.

Craigdarroch Castle is a beautiful, historic Victorian mansion built in the 1890s by wealthy British Columbia coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. This architecturally stunning, 39 room castle was built on a hill overlooking the City of Victoria, its construction announcing to the world that Robert Dunsmuir was the richest and most important man in Western Canada.

Emily Carr is regarded as one of Canada's greatest artists in recognition for her bold depictions of isolated native villages along BC's coast. Emily Carr House was built in 1864 by Emily's father, Richard. Emily was born in shortly after in 1871. She left Victoria in 1888 after her parents died, and she travelled to study painting in London, Paris and San Francisco.

Opened in 1908 after four years of construction, Victoria's Fairmont Empress Hotel was designed by Francis Rattenbury using Quebec City's Chateau Frontenac as his inspiration. This landmark building has played hostess to kings, queens, movie stars and many famous people over the past hundred years as it worked its niche catering to the wealthy tourists.

Hatley Park is one of Canada's largest and most diverse National Historic Sites, and the castle, built by Robert Dunsmuir in 1908, is at the centre of this precious 565 acre estate. Designed by noted Victoria architect Samuel Maclure, Hatley Castle is a 40-room mansion surrounded by heritage, world famous, Japanese and rose gardens.

Overlooking Victoria's majestic Inner Harbour, the Provincial Legislative Buildings are an imposing structure of locally mined limestone and granite. Designed by the audacious Francis Rattenbury in 1892 when he was just 25 years old, and opened in 1897 as part of the celebrations for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.  Tours daily Monday through Friday.

Very few places in the world have a richer maritime heritage than British Columbia, and the Maritime Museum of BC successfully brings to life the triumphs and the tragedies of seafarers over the years. Discover the tales of navigators and explorers, of pirates and shipwrecks. Learn about the local ferries, the Canada's Navy and the heroic Canadian Coastguard.

Overlooking the waters of Victoria's scenic Gorge Waterway, Point Ellice House was built in 1861. Magistrate and Gold Commissioner Peter O'Reilly acquired the house in 1867 adding to the building and gardens over the next twenty years. Victoria's social elite gathered here, enjoying the luxuriant heritage gardens surrounding this rambling Italianate home.

Experiencing Ross Bay Cemetery is like visiting an ancient outdoor sculpture garden and reading a page from Victoria's history all at once. Find the monuments to famous Canadians, including Sir James Douglas, BC's first governor, coal baron Robert Dunsmuir who built Craigdarroch Castle, Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, artist Emily Carr.

The Royal British Columbia Provincial Museum is one of the foremost cultural institutions in the world. The museum was founded in 1886 to collect artifacts and specimens of BC's natural and human history. The exhibits and galleries celebrate the people, places, and events that make up BC's distinctive heritage, telling BC's story.